FERTILITY TRANSITION IN A LOW INCOME COUNTRY: THE CASE OF NEPAL

Abstract

Fertility transition can be perceived as the change from the state of high natural fertility regime to a regime of low fertility. The process is invariably manifested by fertility regulation. This term appeared in literature since the second half of 20th century and is being extensively used till the date. Fertility transition took off in different countries at different points of time. Fertility decline was first initiated in France in late 18th century (Caldwell 1998) and a sustained fertility decline was first ever evidenced there in 1830 (Van De Kaa 1996). It did not spread much to other countries at that time; however, onset of fertility decline gradually appeared and spread to other parts of Europe and the whole region was in the process of fertility transition by 1900; whereas in majority of the developing countries it began in the 20th century, starting at various time points (Caldwell 1998). In some less developed countries fertility decline started even after 1970. A vast majority of the countries in the less developed region are going through a continued fertility decline (UN 2013a). Globally, fertility level was at TFR of 2.53 in 2005-2010 but high variation exists among countries. For example, in 2010, TFR varies from values as low as 1.17 in Latvia, 1.25 in Hungary and 1.27 in Bosnia-Herzegovina to as high as 5.8 in Gambia, 5.9 in Mozambique and 6.2 in Uganda.